Director of Business Development

Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois (EDCNCI)

Position Summary:

Director of Business Development will manage the new industrial and manufacturing project leads and execute business development and attraction strategies. This individual will work to attract new industrial and manufacturing companies, capital investments, and jobs to the North Central Illinois region. This includes generating new leads and following-up with the leads. Director of Business Attraction will coordinate on-site visits, research, RFI assistance and completion, and other related business attraction development support. EDCNCI works in a collaborative manner with regional and state partners. The position requires one to work to look at details, work efficiently and fast since many projects could have short deadlines, and with ability to balance multiple priorities to meet deadlines. EDCNCI seeks a dynamic, outgoing individual who is motivated and dedicated to creating jobs, promoting regional collaboration, and advocating for growth in the region.

Essential Functions:

· Identify, pursue, and follow up on business attraction opportunities.

· Develops, coordinates, and/or administers economic development projects or initiatives at the direction of the Executive Director, with little or no supervision.

· Develop and nurture relationships with industry leaders, regional partners, and elected officials.

· Meets with property owners, developers, realtors, businesses, and prospective businesses. Analyzes needs and recommends sites and facilities to these individuals. Assesses fiscal impact of potential developments and coordinates issues.

· Expand EDCNCI reach with targeted national site selectors, brokers, DCEO, Intersect Illinois, and other professionals in economic development.

· Lead and promote activities that build a robust project pipeline including compilation of regional project responses with local economic developers and property owners, serve as the single point of contact for RFI and direct leads.

· Host clients and project management, including presentations, coordination of visits and tours.

· Develop a working knowledge labor market and demographic information, sites and building databases, training programs and opportunities for funding programs or grants.

· Assist with marketing, including, social media, website management, and other marketing opportunities for organization and region.

· Develop or assist in developing investor relation events and opportunities.

· Perform additional duties and responsibilities.

Education & Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree required in Public or Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Finance, or other business-related fields.

· Consultative sales and public speaking experience

· Substantial professional experience, including three to five years of relevant economic development or related business development experience required.

· Knowledge of marketing strategies and best practices

· Experience managing social media platforms for business(es) (ex: Linked in)

· Experience managing and editing content on website.

· Demonstrate familiarity with demographic data and research methods for comparison data about communities and regions in economic development.

· 3 years of promoting industrial real estate sites and buildings.

· Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze, produce reports, and visually display regional economic, demographic, and infrastructure data for partners.

· Must be able to work independently and self-motivated.

Critical knowledge and fundamental skills required for the position, include:

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and techniques of economic development, including regional economic development planning.
• Proficiency in economic and demographic research skills, including extensive familiarity with data sources.
• Superior writing skills, including the editing, oversight, or preparation of memos, strategic plans, and other technical reports.
• Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver engaging presentations.
• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills to work effectively with various clients, officials, staff, and citizens.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and other software necessary to present and visualize written information and data.

Successful outcomes for the employee in this position will include:

· Expanding marketing exposure within marketing budget

· Win new business attraction deals that generate jobs, capital investments that grow the region.

· Increase relationships with leaders in the region, regional partners, leaders of Economic Development Organizations, commercial real estate, site selection consultants, corporate executives.

The Director of Business Attraction will be expected to travel, during the week and possibly weekends. Travel includes frequently driving a motor vehicle. May require domestic travel for projects, conferences, trade shows and business attraction opportunities. This position may require evening and weekend events and extended hours.

Salary and Benefits:

The EDCNCI offers a competitive salary and will be commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications. EDCNCI offers a competitive benefits package. No relocation offered. For full consideration, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and at least three professional references to Executive Director, Gina Czubachowski – gina@edcnci.org

Please submit all materials by Friday May 31, 2024.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Travel requirement:

• Up to 25% travel

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Economic Development: 3 years (Preferred)
• Sales: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Oglesby, IL 61348 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Oglesby, IL 61348: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oglesby, IL 61348